The Amp

This week the Supreme Court heard oral argumenta in the census citizenship case. As the justices consider the case, we need to discuss the importance of a fair and accurate count in 2020 and how vital it is that all communities are counted. Cite the values of Community and Voice when discussing the case.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda's Census Data: A Fair and Accurate Count; Census Count’s talking points and resources; FIRM’s social media toolkit; ACLU’s Elevator Pitch video on Youtube and on Twitter;
•  Hashtags: #2020Census; #CountMeIn; #SaveTheCensus 

Media outlets are reporting that the Trump administration is preparing a new proposal that would further restrict immigrant access to federal housing assistance. Undocumented immigrants  are currently ineligible for housing subsidies but can live with eligible family members. This proposal could change that policy and tear families apart. There will be a 60-day public comment period starting soon. When discussing this development, cite the values of Economic Security and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Legal Aid Society’s Statement on HUD Proposal to Restrict Access to Public Housing; The Opportunity Agenda's Realizing the Promise: How to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing; American Immigration Council's HUD Proposes to Evict Citizens and Immigrants from Public Housing if They Have Undocumented Family Members
• Hashtag: #ProtectFamilies

The Prison Fellowship is wrapping up Second Chance Month to recognize the dignity and potential of 70 million Americans with criminal records who have repaid their debt to society. Join the campaign and cite the values of Redemption and Mobility.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda's Foster Successful Reintegration; Prison Fellowship's model resolutions for state and local officials, petition and social media toolkit;
• Hashtags: #SecondChanceMonth; #SecondChances

It’s also the end of Medicaid Awareness Month, which has focused on a different topic each week. This week, advocates will focus on the cost of sabotaging or undermining Medicaid expansion. And on April 30th, there’s a day of action (see more below). When talking about Medicaid, cite the values of Economic Security and Community.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda's Talking about Economic Justice; Protect Our Care's State by State Fact Sheets, How Medicaid Helps Children and Families and Shareable Graphics; Center for American Progress' Who Receives Medicaid? A State-by-State Breakdown; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' Medicaid Briefs: Who is Harmed by Work Requirements?
• Hashtag: #MedicaidMatters

On this day in 2017, New Orleans began removing Confederate monuments from the city. Many monuments remain across the U.S., and several cities and states continue to celebrate Confederate Memorial Day. Discuss this anniversary and the underlying problem citing the values of Community, Voice, and Equality.

• Messaging and communication tools: TruthOut’s It’s Time to Honor Victims, Not Perpetrators, of US Brutality; Southern Poverty Law Center’s Whose Heritage? Community Action Guide and Whose Heritage? Public Symbols of the Confederacy
• Hashtags: #LoseTheLostCause; #WhoseHeritage

National Bail Out is bailing out Black mamas and caregivers across the country in May. This month, you can learn more about planning a successful bail-out action through their webinar series. At 6pm EST today, they’re discussing “Communications Best Practices” in a free webinar. See the webinar recording here and the link to the notes here. Also see National Bail Out's Free Black Mama's resource folder here. 

On this day in 1993, the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Equal Rights and Liberation became one of the largest protests in American history with more than one million participants. “Transgender” was omitted from the title because organizers failed to gain support for its addition. With the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in a few months, it’s important to note moments when LGBTQ people have stood up for their rights. Cite the values of Community and Voice when discussing this anniversary.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Tips for Putting Intersectionality into Practice; Queer Detainee Empowerment Project’s World Report on the LGBT Immigrant Experience; Center for American Progress’ Protecting Basic Living Standards for LGBTQ People and ICE’s Rejection of Its Own Rules Is Placing LGBT Immigrants at Severe Risk of Sexual Abuse; Social Justice Sexuality’s Intersecting Injustice: A National Call to Action Addressing LGBTQ Poverty and Economic Justice for All; Immigration Legal Resource Center’s Special Considerations for LGBTQ Immigrants
• Hashtag: #Pride50; #LGBTQ

Lesbian Day of Visibility provides a platform to speak out on the issues facing female sexual minorities. Use this hook to discuss intersectional issues for the LGBT community, including racial and economic justice. Cite the values of Economic Security, Community, and Voice.

• Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Tips for Putting Intersectionality into Practice; Queer Detainee Empowerment Project’s World Report on the LGBT Immigrant Experience; Center for American Progress’ Protecting Basic Living Standards for LGBTQ People and ICE’s Rejection of Its Own Rules Is Placing LGBT Immigrants at Severe Risk of Sexual Abuse; Social Justice Sexuality’s Intersecting Injustice: A National Call to Action Addressing LGBTQ Poverty and Economic Justice for All; Immigration Legal Resource Center’s Special Considerations for LGBTQ Immigrants
• Hashtag: #LesbianVisibility

On Workers Memorial Day, labor unions and organizations working for occupational safety remember those who have suffered and died on the job, while renewing the fight for safe jobs. Cite the values of Economic Security, Community, and Voice when discussing this day.

• Messaging and communication tools: The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) Workers Memorial Day Toolkit; National Employment Law Project's Workplace Fatalities Rising Under Trump OSHA as Enforcement Declines and Trump Administration Rolls Back Workplace Injury Reporting Rule
• Hashtags: #1uSafety; #IWMD2019; #SafeAtWork; #SaveOSHA

There are several hooks for intersectional social justice work in May.

• Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Hashtags #APAHM19; #APAHM; #APAHeritage; #WeCrossedOceans
• Community Action Month. Hashtag #CommunityActionWorks
• National Mental Health Month. Hashtags #WhyCare; #MHM2019; #StampOutStigma
• Older Americans Month. Hashtags #OAM19; #ConnectCreateContribute

Across the country, immigrant leaders and allies will lead marches, rallies, protests, and town halls for May Day. A coalition of organizations called Freedom Cities is also planning events across the country. Use this opportunity to talk about the values of Community and Economic Security.

• Take Action: Join an event near you:  Aurora, CO; Jersey City, NJ; Los Angeles, CA; Madison, WI; New York, NY; Salem, OR; Seattle, WA; and more!
• Messaging tools: The Opportunity Agenda's Quick Tips for Talking Immigration Issues and 5 Key Facts: Online Discussion of Immigration in The Trump Era; Freedom Cities' resources
• Hashtags: #May1; #MayDay; #FreedomCities

At 6pm EST, National Bail Out is holding a webinar about advocacy for bailing out Black mamas and caregivers across the country. Register here.